Territory politicians will no longer have to attend Parliament in person after the Fyles Government moved to grant exemptions to attend sittings by video link, overriding current standing orders that would see a member expelled from Parliament if they missed three sitting days.

The government had made exceptions during the COVID-19 public health emergency for MLAs to attend remotely via video links, but the new rules will now see any politician seek an exemption from the Speaker based on health or “other” reasons any time they wish.

The changes will allow politicians to still vote on legislation while not actually in attendance.

The move caught the Opposition and independent members by surprise on Tuesday morning.

“What the government has done today in Parliament is really quite extraordinary,” Opposition CLP Leader Lia Finocchiaro said.

“It’s basically said that if members of Parliament get a note from their mum, then they can stay home and not attend in person, which is a huge departure from how a democracy should operate.”

The government introduced the changes and then gagged debate on the issue as Parliament kicked off Tuesday morning.

Ms Finocchiaro said shutting down debate was becoming a hallmark of the Fyles Government.

“The fact that they gagged debate without even letting us ask questions or share our views around why we don’t think that would be a good idea just shows how desperate they are to control every element of the parliament,” she said. “And shut down any dissenting voice.”

Last month, new Speaker Mark Monaghan told Estimates hearings that “remote participation” in Parliament was brought to an end unless “any future declared emergency or disaster situation” was declared.

It was not explained in Leader of Government Business Chansey Paech’s motion why the government was changing the attendance rules while there is no public emergency.

“The Labor Government has descended into total authoritarianism and this is just another example of their arrogance,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“This is being done so that the government can manage the infighting and members who can’t be bothered to rock up.”

The government did not disclose any potential cost-savings of the new measure. Any politician travelling to Darwin for sittings from outside the region is paid $400 a day for accommodation and meals.

Member for Port Darwin Paul Kirby was the only MLA to call-in remotely on Tuesday. Former chief minister Michael Gunner was in attendance for the first time since he resigned as the Labor leader on May 10.